Hennessy Gold Cup Chase
Inviato: 28/11/2009 - 12:38
Partenti:
An Accordion: Jumping has been a cause for concern and tends to hang but very talented on his day as he proved with blinkers fitted early last year when landing valuable prizes at Doncaster and Cheltenham; 9lb higher mark stiff enough even allowing he was in front toosoon on latter occasion; poor run only outing last term and had a second breathing operation since.
Ballyfitz: Smart staying hurdler who lost the plot after bright start to chasing career last season but was well fancied and shaped very encouragingly when fourth in Paddy Power, looking sure to be suited by return to further; still relatively unexposed and, although 2lb higher, can go well if jumping holds up.
Barbers Shop: Moved on to a higher level in light second campaign over fences last season, running Imperial Commander (rec 3lb) close with the rest well held in Paddy Power and winding up with creditable run in Gold Cup; held by My Will on latter form and yet to provestamina but probably more to come with trainer believing he is still maturing; cheekpieces for first time.
Cappa Bleu: Revelation in points last year and landed Foxhunter at Cheltenham on first start under rules, staying on strongly, but handicapper taken no chances for all that the form worked out well; reportedly needed race and combination of 2m4f and good ground against him at Aintree on reappearance; unlikely we have seen best of him but passed over by Paul Moloney.
Casey Jones: Smart novice last winter, albeit well held in RSA Chase on only visit to Britain (finished strongly after losing touch with mistakes); closely matched with My Will and War Of Attrition on Down Royal running on ground that might have been more testing than ideal but throws in odd poor run and others look more solid.
Chelsea Harbour: Improved last winter and shaped as though coming to hand again when second over inadequate 2m6f at Thurles but below expectations at Cheltenham nine days later and has blinkers on for the first time; suited by 3m+ and more rain the better but bit to prove now.
Denman: Never quite at his best after being diagnosed with a heart murmur last season and the key question is whether he will recover peak form with a clear run this time round; given a chance off a mark 8lb lower than he earned by toppling Kauto Star in strong renewal of Gold Cup in 2008, track/trip/ground perfect and there are none better equipped to carry the weight.
Gone To Lunch: Quirky but developed into smart staying novice chaser last season, winning both his starts here and winding up with seconds in the Scottish National and Grade 1 Champion Novice at Punchestown; still on a fair mark, should be sharper for Ascot comeback outing and comes well into it.
Joe Lively: Seems to reserve his very best for Cheltenham, just a doubt whether principal rival Halcon Genelardais gave his true running on very testing ground there in January and could struggle off a mark 7lb higher than when found wanting in Welsh National last time in a handicap.
Killyglen: Let down by jumping when suffering first defeat over fences in RSA Chase at Cheltenham but made amends at Aintree and made satisfactory reappearance over inadequate trip; not the best handicapped but has the right profile as an unexposed second-season chaser.
Kornati Kid: Jumping improved with experience as a novice and put up a smart performance when accounting for some very promising rivals in Grade 2 event at Wetherby in January; did not give his running in four-miler at Cheltenham and may be best going right-handed but unlikely we have seen the best of him.
Mon Mome: Massive hike in weights for comprehensive 100-1 Grand National victory, far and away a career-best; some doubt whether he will be able to reproduce that form back on orthodox course having looked well exposed beforehand.
My Will: Last won three years ago but not had much racing since and never given less than his best; case to be made on his Gold Cup fifth but other efforts over last 12 months, including fifth off 3lb lower here last year, suggest he will be playing for minor honours again.
Nenuphar Collonges: Came up a little short in top staying handicaps after reappearance win at Bangor last season and this will be even tougher from out of handicap; entitled to come on for reappearance but likely to find a few too good.
New Alco: Missed out narrowly on some good prizes at Cheltenham (gets a good pull in weights with An Accordion on their running in March last year when racing off 3lb lower); missed last season with injury but laid out for this and goes well fresh; possibilities at a big price.
Niche Market: Not easy to catch right as he demonstrated with 33-1 victories in valuable events at Ascot and Fairyhouse, putting a couple of modest efforts behind him when landing the Irish Grand National; should be sharper for recent comeback race but another step upneeded from out of handicap.
Offshore Account: Went from strength to strength in novice chases early in 2007, albeit a shade fortunate when landing Punchestown Grade 1; very lightly raced since and seen only twice over fences, on second occasion when going strongly until weakening two out in Grand National; tuned up over hurdles last month and a possible longshot.
Snowy Morning: Favourite when an early faller here two years ago and jumping clumsy on other occasions too; bit below his best last season (made mistakes but ran well in Grand National) but signed off with 2m4f wins over fences and hurdles in May; slipped back to a fair mark but may be vulnerable to less exposed types.
State Of Play: Easy winner off 3lb lower here three years ago and record over fences after an absence of six months or more reads 121; showed he retains greater part of his ability last season, winning Charlie Hall and finishing fourth in Grand National, and big run expected again.
War Of Attrition: Seemed to have the chasing world at his feet four seasons ago but fallible the following winter and never quite the same after missing 2007 and most of last year, albeit closely matched with a below-par My Will on latest Down Royal running; vulnerable toup-and-coming types.
What A Friend: Fine start over fences last season, accounting for Carruthers at Uttoxeter and Ballyfitz (7lb better off now) at Cheltenham but found competition too hot in RSA Chase, his awkward head carriage again calling his attitude into question; still unexposed but this is no place for the fainthearted.